McLaren 675LT promises 0-62mph in 2.9 whiplash-inducing seconds

We’ve heard its exhaust and seen a picture of its alloys. Today, however, McLaren has revealed the sexy new 675LT in all its considerable glory.

Designed as a more powerful, track-focused, yet road-legal alternative to the 650S, the 675LT is as rapid as they come. The name 675LT is derived from the car’s total power output of 675PS (666bhp) and the fact it follows McLaren’s ‘Longtail’ philosophy, which focuses on light weight, optimised aerodynamics, increased power, track-focused dynamics and driver engagement.

The 675LT uses many of the same components as the 650S, but McLaren has changed a third of those components to boost performance. The 3.8-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine in particular has had more than 50 per cent of its parts tweaked, helping it deliver increased power, torque and driveability.

Not only is it powerful, it’s light, too. The 675LT tips the scales at just 1,230kg – over 100kg lighter than other McLaren Super Series cars including the 12C — thanks partly to use of carbon fibre on the body panels, bucket seat shells, front splitter and the enormous ‘Longtail’ airbrake, which is fifty per cent bigger (yet lighter) than the one fitted to the 650S.

The total power-to-weight ratio for the 675LT is an impressive 549PS per tonne, so to say it accelerates rapidly is a bit of an understatement. 0-62mph takes just 2.9 seconds, while 0-120mph is smashed in 7.9 seconds, and it’ll keep going until it reaches a 205mph top speed. A hefty 700Nm of torque ensures you’re never short of grunt.

Our only complaint so far would be that the McLaren 675LT looks a little too similar to the 650S. Those with a trained eye will notice the more aggressive front splitter and sideskirts, not to mention the larger airbrake, but a bit more menace wouldn’t have gone amiss.

The McLaren 657LT will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday 3 March 2015. Make sure you come back to Recombu for more details as we get them.